Improvement in whiffletree-hooks



UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

JEREMIAH FINK, OF BALDVVINSVILLE, NINV YORK.

EMPROVEMENT lN WHIFFLETREE-HOOKS To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JEREMIAH FINK, of Baldwinsville, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Safety-Hook for Use on Whittletrees and for Similar Purposes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved hook, showing it applied to a whittlet: ee, with a portion of the tug or trace of a harness shown therewith. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the pole of a wagon, showing its application to the whiftletrees and neck-yoke, and for connecting an additional team.

Like letters designate corresponding parts in both of the figures.

My invention has for its object constructing the hooks used on whiftietrees, and for other purposes, in such a manner as to prevent the traces or other parts attached thereto from becoming disconnected by any accidental cause.

As represented in the drawings, I attach a link, a, in a loose manner so that it is free to move by its own gravity to the end or pointv b of the hook c. The mostconveuient mode of construction is to form an eye in the end of the hook, through which one end or portion of the link passes. The opposite end falls by its weight, and rests on the shank of the hook, hooks for this purpose being so formed and used thatthe point I) is in a position vertical to that of the shank, e\ e t if the rye portion (1, Fig. 1, be placed horizontally. The link consequently lies in an inclined position, as represented by the dotted lines 0, the free end being lowest, so that the eye or ring of the trace f, clevis, or other part to be connected, is readily slipped over the point of the hook, passirg under the link, and raising it in the manner shown in Fig. l. The proper position of the tug f to the hook, when connected, is shown by dotted lines in this figure. But the link prevents the trace-eye from being detached, for it it is drawn backward it strikes the link on the upper side, and by its pressure holds it down more firmly, so that 1.0 amount of shaking will release the tug by Inisplacing the link. Even drawing directly backward will not disengage it without suflicient force is exerted to break or considerably bend the link.

The act of disconnecting iseffect d, when desired, by raising the free end of the link until the eye will pass under it.

The link has superior advantages over springs applied to hooks for this purpose, as springs are liable to be bent so as to become inoperative, arefoften broken, or detached from the hook. The link will always operate well in this situation until worn out, which willrequire long use, and its cost is much less than that of springs.

There are many situations in which it is useful besides that specifiethwhich give a fair illustration of its applicability to several purposes in connectinganimals to vehicles, where its use will save much injury to life and property by rendering the connection sure against almost any accident that may occur.

I do not claim, broadly, the use of a tongue or lever pivoted to the shank or hook insuch a manner that its weight causes it to close the space against the passage of the ring or clevis; but

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

'l he link or ring a, forming a broad bearing to prevent the passage of the clevis or traceeye when inserted in place, and jointed to the point I) of the hook, and resting against the shank, in combination with said hook, the whole arranged and operating substantially as herein specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JEREMIAH FINK.

YVitnesses:

J. FRASER, D. O. JoHNsoN. 

